Bergenfield senior missing 4 days dies in hospital

BERGENFIELD – Donald C. Wicklund, the Alzheimer’s-stricken borough man who disappeared for four days before he was found last Sunday only three houses away from his own home, died at Hackensack University Medical Center on Aug. 31. He was 81.

His death was announced by his son Eric Wicklund, who said his father succumbed to the injuries sustained during his disappearance and the toll the four-day ordeal had inflicted on his body.

Wicklund was malnourished and dehydrated when he was discovered in the bushes of a neighbor’s backyard at 5:51 p.m. on Aug. 25. He was conscious and able to speak, but had cuts and bruises on his body that police said were consistent with a fall.

“We will never know exactly what happened those long four days, but we do know he was hurt and tried to get home,” the younger Wicklund wrote in a Facebook message, announcing his father’s death. “He was a very tough man, and he showed it. My family and I are very thankful he was found in time to get to the hospital, and received medical treatment. It at least gave him a chance.”

The family and community were elated when authorities located Wicklund, who had been reported missing at 12:34 a.m. on Aug. 22; his wife, Connie, to whom had been married for 44 years, had last seen him around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 21.

“We were at least grateful that he was found in time so we could seek medical help for him and get to talk to him and, at least, say goodbye to him,” Wicklund said Sunday night. “Obviously, we were hoping for a better result, but based on his age and his illness and his injuries, it was amazing that he survived for four nights.”

Wicklund said he remained convinced that his father was trying to find his way back, but got hurt in the process.

“He got close, but somehow he didn’t make it home,” he said.

Donald Wicklund was born in Minneapolis, Minn. on July 23, 1932. A Korean War veteran — he was an Air Force mechanic, according to his son — he settled in Bergenfield 45 years ago. In the borough, he joined the Bergenfield Elks Lodge #1477 and the local chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American civic organization.

The elder Wicklund, who survived prostate cancer more than a decade ago, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia that affects 5.2 million Americans, about two years ago, his son said.

Donald Wicklund worked as an office manager at R&K Mockler Overhead Doors in Palisades Park for 55 years, Eric Wicklund said. After retiring, he continued in the garage door business helping his son, who had followed in his father’s footsteps and started his own company, All American Overhead Garage Doors.

The two worked together until earlier this year when the illness forced Eric Wicklund to cut back on his father’s work and eventually take away his father’s driving privileges, he said.

Eric Wicklund said his father taught him everything he knows about construction, the garage door business, and life.

He was “a very kind person, very helpful, with a very friendly personality, ” Eric Wicklund said.

“He was always good to people, and would go the extra mile to make sure his work was perfect,” he wrote on Facebook. “He always told me to take pride in my work, and people will respect you for it.”

His father had two passions, the younger Wicklund told The Record last week: garage doors and his native Minnesota — both subjects which he could discuss for hours.

“He loved to talk about his work and everything Minnesota,” he said. “He loved the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. Those were his favorite things.”

Eric Wicklund again thanked the dozens of people who helped the family as they searched for his father.

“Even if you just shared the page on Facebook, or if you were hanging up flyers, or even out there looking,” he wrote, asking readers to pass along the post. “I can’t thank you all enough for your efforts. The police, firemen, EMTs, search and rescue, volunteers, friends, and family. You gave us the chance to see him again, and to say goodbye.”

In addition to son Eric and wife, Connie, Donald Wicklund is survived by three other children, Donald, Kendall and Jeanette, and five grandchildren.

Visiting will be held at Riewerts Memorial Home in Bergenfield, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday. A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, with an interment at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.